Getting an APS job

All jobs in the APS that are for a period of more than 18 months are advertised online at APSjobs.

Jobs are also advertised on individual agency websites and jobseeker sites.

If you are interested in working for a particular agency, check their website for information. You can find out more at: www.directory.gov.au

What APS job might be right for you?

Jobs in the APS have a classification level based on the duties to be performed.

The APS work level standards describe the characteristics of work done at certain classification levels, and the value of that work. They are used as a way to allocate classification levels fairly and consistently across a wide range of job and agencies.

Your duties in the ADF may be very different from those in many APS jobs. However, the level of skills and experience gained at a particular ADF rank can be aligned to work value for a given APS classification.

The recruitment process

Decisions to employ or promote a person in the APS are based on merit. Essentially this means that:

job vacancies in the APS must be advertised so that all eligible members of the community have a reasonable opportunity to apply; and

applicants are assessed against the requirements of the positions and against each other.

Agencies use a number of ways to advertise jobs, including their web sites, job seeker sites, social media and APSjobs.

Agencies also use a number of ways to assess applicants, depending upon their operational needs and the nature of the job. For example, applicants may be asked to submit a written application and/or their c.v. There may be an interview and/or written or verbal testing.

Agencies are not restricted in the types of assessment methods they can use, as long as they assess and compare candidates fairly.

In most cases, candidates will need to nominate referees, including recent supervisors, to support their application.

Your application

For information on how you will be assessed and what the agency is looking for:

check the agency web site

read the Job description

download the Selection documents; and

call the Contact person

The following may help you with putting together your claims against the selection criteria:

Additional information for Indigenous Australians

You can also stay up to date with employment opportunities and connect with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and jobseekers via the Indigenous Australian Public Service Careers Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/APSIndigenouscareers.

Additional information for people with disability

There two affirmative measures in place to improve employment opportunities for people with disability.

Connect with APSC

The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is a central agency within the Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio. The Commission supports two statutory office holders: the Australian Public Service Commissioner - who is also agency head - and the Merit Protection Commissioner. Their functions are set out in sections 41(1) and 50(1), respectively, of the Public Service Act 1999.